Foreign Ministers determined to promote Commonwealth interests beyond CHOGM 2026

Foreign Affairs Ministers and Heads of Delegations were tasked with adopting the CHOGM 2026 Communiqué, ahead of its endorsement by Leaders.

In his opening remarks, the Chair, Minister Greene, reflected on developments since CFAMM in London in March, and said:

"When we last met at Lancaster House in London, we agreed on the need to do more as Foreign Ministers – to uphold our collective values, increase our visibility, and deepen our relationship with strategic partners. 

"The Commonwealth is an important platform for dialogue, collaboration and opportunity. Through partnerships and shared action, we can build resilience, unlock economic opportunity, and ensure that the Commonwealth continues to deliver meaningful benefits for our people.

"This week, we invite our Commonwealth family to rally behind the CHOGM theme, ‘Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth’. Let us make the most of this moment of opportunity for the Commonwealth and show our people that they matter."

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, said in her opening remarks that this pre-CHOGM CFAMM meeting sought to focus on the challenges facing Commonwealth countries, including how to respond to hostile actions against them, and how they fashion strategies to fill the gap for funding social goods critical for building their own resilience and shared Commonwealth prosperity. She said to Ministers:

"In today’s world, there are few certainties left. But one thing we can be sure of is that the Commonwealth family is a place where all voices are heard, and that the time for action is now.

"This week, you will experience a transformed CHOGM: shorter, but with more packed in.

The initiatives we are launching this week complement national programmes and our existing support for member countries, with scaled responses that reflect our ambition for transformation.

"This CHOGM, have been designed around your priorities, to help you achieve your goals. 

Inspired by our values and our history of problem-solving, we are looking to your leadership and support to deliver transformative change for our 2.7 billion citizens."

Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation received a Report from the Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for the period 2024-26. CMAG is chaired by Hon Chris Fearne, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta.

Ministers and delegates welcomed reports from the Commonwealth intergovernmental organisations - the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation and Commonwealth of Learning - as well as from the four CHOGM Forums, namely Business, People, Youth and Women.

CFAMM 2026 Retreat

Foreign Ministers met for a retreat in the afternoon, under the theme, How can Foreign Ministers promote the Commonwealth’s shared interests and values in the current international situation?

Foreign Ministers discussed how Commonwealth member countries can work together to shape a shared future, in the face of profound stresses and challenges facing the world. Discussion focused on:

• The Commonwealth’s response to declining development cooperation, unilateral attacks on member countries, as well as rapidly emerging and evolving technologies, and their impact on our resilience and shared prosperity. 
• How Foreign Ministers can support the Commonwealth to strengthen consensus-building mechanisms and leverage cooperation across global platforms, positioning our values, increasing our visibility and realising a response global governance architecture. 
• The integration of democracy and good governance for realising economic and climate resilience across the Commonwealth.

CHOGM will officially open on 2 November and conclude on 4 November. 
CHOGM 2026 hub